Finch Calls Out Refs After Timberwolves Loss; Ant Shrugs Off Health Concerns

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
Chris Finch - NBA Playoffs - Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Chris Finch watched his Minnesota Timberwolves play a first round game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday afternoon that resembled that of a rollercoaster.

The Wolves came out of the gates on fire, jumping out to a double-digit lead in the first half, before allowing the Nuggets to swing it back in their direction by as many as 15 points, during the 3rd quarter.

In the end, Minnesota fought back to get it within a basket or two at midway through the fourth quarter, but crumbled down the stretch and the Timberwolves fell 116-105, and 0-1 in the series.

Anthony Edwards says he feels good…

Major takeaways from game one? Well, Rudy Gobert played one of the best two-way playoff games of his career (17 PTS, 10 REB, 1 STL) and Nikola Jokic still busted out a triple-double against him, totalling 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.

However, this afternoon’s No. 1 takeaway (by a wide margin) is that Anthony Edwards does not look healthy. That’s the biggest concern for the Timberwolves, not just in game one, but going forward in this series.

Healthy or not, the Wolves need Ant on the floor, which is why he played 38 minutes, which was tied for the most of any Wolves player. He also led Minnesota in scoring, (22 points on 7-of-19 shooting and 2/9 from deep), assists (7) and blocks (3). Edwards’ 9 rebounds were just one shy of Gobert’s 10.

But from the opening tip, Edwards was favoring his right knee, even grabbing at it multiple times throughout the game when he would come down for a rebound or launch off of it wrong.

Still, Ant found a way to be the MN Timberwolves’ best player, and still did a lot of his damage in the lane, even without his usual burst, both at the point of attack and the basket.

Still, Minnesota was fighting from behind for much of this game because their superstar is NOT 100%. Without a doubt, it’s a major problem in this series, going forward. Unless, of course, you ask the 24-year-old former No. 1 overall draft pick, who told reporters after the game that he felt great Saturday afternoon.

Latest Wolves rumor: Timberwolves Interested in Kawhi Leonard?

I’m not sure what I expected Ant to say. Admitting his injury isn’t going to help his knee heal any faster, and he’s going to play, despite how it feels. No point in complaining about it or using it as an excuse. Nonetheless, our eyes aren’t deceiving us.

MN Timberwolves coach praises Rudy Gobert, bemoans refs

Yes, Rudy Gobert committed a late turnover that drowned the Minnesota Timberwolves last push toward victory, a stupid behind-the-back hand-off attempt that Chris Finch was not happy about after the game.

Still, there is no denying how well the 33-year-old played Saturday against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. As Finch said after the game, Jokic is going to get his. That’s why he is a perennial MVP candidate.

What the Wolves head coach was really upset about after the game? The Nuggets shot 33 free throws, and made 30. In fact, Jamal Murray shot 16 free throws in game one, by himself (made all 16). In comparison, the entire Timberwolves team shot 19 (made 14).

Something about that discrepancy did NOT sit well with Finchy after the game.

“Well, the 16 free throws for Murray is a head scratcher, so… I thought we played really good defense on him… he initiates the contact, he spills away and he gets rewarded for it. Jokic does the same thing. We’ve got to be solid around that. But 16 free throws is a lot. That’s almost as many as we shot all game.”

Chris Finch after game one (video above)

If Chris hasn’t figured it out yet, the Minnesota Timberwolves will have to beat their opponent + the referees in any playoff series they’re involved in. That’s the way it was the past two postseasons. This will be no different.

Still, I appreciate Finch’s attempt to set the zebras straight… but it won’t matter.

Mentioned in this article:

More About:

0What do you think?Post a comment.

Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.